|
The River City Radio Hour |
|
|
|
by Deena Warner
|
|
Tuesday, 19 August 2008 |
 The River City Radio Hour is a live variety show featuring musicians, comedians, singers, and actors. It is performed on the third Friday of every month. It is sponsored by the Wayne Theatre Alliance and Waynesboro Cultural Commission, as well as other organizations which change from month to month.
So, what is one of these shows like? They're family-oriented and upbeat. They move at a quick pace, with each act staying on stage for no longer than 5-6 minutes at a time.
The background band, The Boogie Kings, does an outstanding job of keeping everything tied together. Richard Adams, the emcee, is funny and spontaneous. The musical guests range from heartfelt singer/songwriters (like Duffy) to sultry jazz (like Llyn Walker) to musical comedy (like the Spilman sisters). Comedianne Marsha Howard spices things up with her jokes.
 The show also incorporates multi-part radio dramas written by local and regional authors. Past examples include "The Mystery of the Meandering Music Box" by Elizabeth Massie and "Night Hawk and Murder at the Lake" by Bob Crawford. Local stage veterans read the roles as if the show were on the radio. The band created sound effects and the narrator ties the show together at each end ("You'll recall, dear listeners, that last time we left our heroes they were stranded in the year 1862 in an abandonded train tunnel.")
 The sponsors of the show are all local businesses and organizations. It's worth attending just to hear what wacky commercials they'll be playing. The show recently got a grant from the Virginia Cultural Commision, which is pretty awesome.
Location (most times): Blue Ridge Christian Fellowship, Main Street, Waynesboro, VA
Times: 6:30 and 8:00 pm
Days: The third Friday of every month
Cost: Free (donations are appreciated)
More info: (540) 943-9999 or www.waynetheatre.org  |
|
Last Updated ( Wednesday, 18 August 2010 )
|
